Thieves take decorations from animal shelter

By The Associated Press

Published: Tuesday, December 24, 2013 at 11:31 AM.

"You go that little extra mile to decorate so that it draws more attention to us being here, which you hope will attract more volunteers," she said. "We need volunteers who will come in and walk the dogs, play with the dogs and help socialize the dogs."

FLETCHER — A Fletcher animal shelter has been hit by thieves again, and this time, it was the Christmas cheer that they made off with.

Christmas decorations set up outdoors by volunteers at the Charlie's Angels Animal Rescue shelter were gone. Metal snowmen, an artificial Christmas tree and large ornaments that had been hanging from the rafters on the porch had vanished.

Shelter manager Jan Stepp said the decorations were taken sometime Sunday night or early Monday morning.

About a month ago, someone entered the front door while Stepp was in the back of the building and stole a new laptop computer.

And in February, someone stole about $1,000 in cash the group had raised through collecting parking fees from customers at a nearby business.

"To steal from people is bad enough, but to steal from someplace like the animal shelter — a place where we're doing the best we can to save lives," said Erma Rhodes, vice president of Charlie's Angels. "It's just real hard to believe people are taking from animals who are already having a hard time."

Stepp said the decorations meant more than just showing the spirit of the season.

"You go that little extra mile to decorate so that it draws more attention to us being here, which you hope will attract more volunteers," she said. "We need volunteers who will come in and walk the dogs, play with the dogs and help socialize the dogs."